Block Party 2 : Electric Googaloo

The second annual Hollings St. block party was held last month and turned out to be quite fun. Our sucky band did not play due to a lack of interest.


Pre-block party - I love this picture.

Parker is all over her cousin Ethan. See what I mean? And there's another five pictures that I didn't post of her hanging all over him. I know how Ethan feels, I had that same problem when I was younger.


It was a fun day for everyone. Next year the sucky band will perform...all Rush songs. Starting from 2112 all the way through their catalog to Moving Pictures. The children are gonna love it!

Laura already told me she wants to sing. It's gonna be a hoot.

Auntie Candy

Did I say "Auntie Candy", I meant Auntie Cyndi. She pretty much ALWAYS presents candy to the kids when she sees them. However, this time, she called and said, "I'm right around the corner. I have a present for Parker. I just wanted to make sure you were home".

"Parker, I have a present for you and I'm hiding it under my shirt."

Can you guess what it is?

"A set of 100 fine tip markers! Now Parker, don't let Georgia use these. You need to keep them nice."
"Come here you little cutie!"

It means a lot to me to have my sister spoil and dote on my kids.

Cousins

I never had any extended family around when I was a child so it pleases me greatly to see the bond that has developed between Parker and her cousin, Ella. When I think about possibly having another child (because two kids doesn't seem like much compared to the 5 siblings I have) I have to remind myself that my girls have lots of cousins that are kind of like sisters and brothers. I know that I'm going to stay very involved in their lives....going to their games and recitals. Our lives are very full and connected.

Rancho Oso Campout 2010

Laura was looking forward to this camping trip ever since our El Capitan experience. She booked the campsite a few months in advance and was figuratively counting the days that led up to the trip. So when we got to the site on a warm Sunday afternoon, it looked like a good time was to be had by all.

Logistically we were located in a perfect spot. Our campsite was huge and private and only 100 feet away there was a nice grassy area, children’s playground, tennis court and a campground store (with lots of expensive ice).

Then a couple of 'challenges' started to make themselves known.


Flies and mosquitoes – they had an amazing way of driving someone crazy, me in particular. They strategically would buzz around my face and ears to the point that I understood what Jack Nicholson’s character in The Shining went through. It was simply maddening, none of us could take it.
Heat – day two was at 97 degrees. That evening I spoke to the ranger who informed me that the following day was supposed to be hotter.


We all felt defeated. So that evening we decided to leave early, ‘early’ meaning immediately the next morning.
Laura slapping on a fake smile for the picture...trust me, she was miserable.

However there was one discovery that seemed to be exactly what Laura was looking for. We found a swimming hole deep in the Los Padres National Forest that was truly a special place. When we got there we were the only ones there. Within about an hour there was another 20 people or so.
A cute little picture of Georgia (post lunch break)

Believe or not, people actually climbed up that rock and dove off the top...yikes.

Two faces of Georgia

Georgia in sulking mode. This usually occurs when she gets an emphatic "No" to something she wants to do.


Georgia enduring the process of defaction. She usually hides somewhere when she has to perform the task. If you look at her too long while she's pooping she will put her hand up and say "Stop".

She needs her private time.

Scene from the Beach

All that's missing is the little table between them with two Corona bottles sitting atop.

Sorry Seems To Be The Easiest Word

She hasn’t figured it out yet. To Georgia, the word “sorry” is like an eraser. Once it’s said the act performed that caused the evocation of the word is absolved thereby allowing for her to do it again.

For example, yesterday some neighbors came by for a visit so they tied the leash affixed to their little beagle named Rufus to our front porch before they came inside. As I was working in the kitchen (I am always working in the kitchen), PJ reported to me that Georgia was ‘being mean’ to Rufus. When I looked out I saw Georgia mildly smacking poor Rufus. “Georgia stop!” I said…”sorry dada” was her response. Moments later she performed the same act and immediately stated “sorry dada”. I verbally scolded her and warned her but before I could finish my sentence…whack…”sorry dada”. After that I stepped up the level of punishment to DEFCON 4.


But if left me asking myself, “what kind of sadistic child are we raising?” Then I thought…”this must be how they make Republicans”

Lake Arrowhead

We had a nice quiet time in Lake Arrowhead. Well, as quiet as it can be with six children and six adults in a house for three days.

I Built Myself a Time Machine

I haven't used it much because the Deloreon has been in the shop quite a bit lately. However, I did get a chance to march with Dr. King in Washington D.C.

Also, I got the chance to share a peanut butter and banana sandwich with Elvis in the White House. In the morning Nixon gave him the appointment of Drug Czar then after lunch we pounded down some vicodins and amphetamines and watched an episode of the Twilight Zone.


Then I got the chance to live a childhood dream. I played shortstop in the 1927 World Series against the New York Yankees. I went 0 for 3 - but I did manage to trip Lou Gehrig when he rounded the bases. He doesn't even look like Gary Cooper.

Ok Darling....I'm back. I already have like three new thoughts to post about.


#1. I wanted to respond to your pop quiz on the Campout Sequel 2 post. The answer was "a" I was looking at a photoshopped picture of you with hair on your head. Actually that was your own hair I had just cut and picked out of the trash can and put back on your head.






#2. I wanted to post this picture of me throwing Georgia in the air at Lake Arrowhead last weekend.


#3. Here's a clip of Parker aiding in Georgia's potting training efforts.